They were computerized avatars with perfect skin, carefully chosen captions, and no backstory. The majority brushed them off as gimmicks. Beautiful, yet hollow. Worth scrolling through, but forgettable. However, something altered. They improved more than just their human appearance. Their sense of humanity improved. Their builders provided them with depth—personalities, values, and even imperfections—in addition to data. As if they had lived a life, they began offering “thoughts,” responding to trends, and interacting with followers. And people answered! Of Gen Z, 73% report having followed or spoken with a virtual influencer without recognizing that they weren’t a real person. Not only is that number unexpected, but it’s a sign. Authenticity is being redefined as we enter a new era. By the story’s resonance, not by the person behind the camera. These AI characters never grow weary. They never get old. They refrain from cancelling themselves. And that’s gold for brands. But the most successful AI influencers aren't feigning authenticity. People still trust them in spite of their artificiality. In a culture where everyone wears masks and filters, maybe being "genuine" isn't what it means to be human. Being convincing, consistent, and just human enough might be the key. Because in a world where everyone is curating their identity, maybe the difference between real and artificial is no longer the point. Maybe the question isn’t “Is this person real?” but “Does this person make me feel something real?” And if a machine can do that—evoke emotion, spark thought, build connection—then what does that say about us? We’ve long accepted that celebrities are brands, that influencers are performances, and that most online personas are edited, filtered, and algorithmically optimized. So when an AI does the same thing, but better—more reliably, more politely, more persistently—should we really be surprised that people follow? The uncanny valley is shrinking. Not because AI is becoming more human, but because humans are becoming more comfortable with the artificial. We’ve trained ourselves to respond to engagement, not essence. To vibes, not veracity. And AI? It’s learning fast. Some of these virtual influencers now have origin stories, heartbreaks, political opinions, and Spotify playlists. They post about mental health. They “collaborate” with real humans. They even get into digital drama—scripted, of course, but no less effective. Because the goal isn’t truth. It’s traction. And traction is currency. For brands, this is a dream. No scheduling conflicts. No scandals. No burnout. Just a perfectly controlled narrative wrapped in a relatable aesthetic. A character that can be rebooted, rebranded, or reprogrammed overnight. But for audiences, the appeal is more complex. Maybe it’s the safety of knowing this influencer won’t judge you. Or the novelty of watching fiction behave like fact. Or maybe it’s just easier to trust something that doesn’t pretend to be perfect—because it was never real to begin with. There’s a strange comfort in that. We used to say “be yourself” as a mantra for authenticity. Now, we say “build your brand.” And AI influencers? They were built from the beginning. No awkward teenage years. No identity crisis. Just a clean, calculated launch into the digital world. And yet, they’re learning to be messy. To be flawed. To be “relatable.” Because that’s what we crave. Not perfection, but imperfection that feels intentional. Vulnerability that’s been A/B tested. So what happens when the most human thing online… isn’t human? Maybe we stop asking. Maybe we stop caring. Maybe we already have. Human influence is still present. It could, however, be the start of something more intelligent and unfamiliar. What do you think? Are you human? The one reading this XD…
